The Will of the Many: spoiler-free review

Every so often a book comes along that I genuinely can't put down. The Will of the Many by James Islington was one of them, and it's an easy 5 stars from me.

This review is completely spoiler-free. It covers what the book is like, why we loved it, how it compares with Red Rising, what age it's suitable for, and whether it makes a good holiday read.

Age rating in short: there's no official age rating for The Will of the Many, but we think it's fine for teenagers.

Our quick verdict

Worth taking if: you love fantasy with a world you can lose yourself in, a plot that keeps you guessing and a main character who has to work out who to trust.

Probably not for you if: you want something short and light to dip in and out of by the pool.

Best format for a holiday: Kindle. It's a long book, and book 2 is already out, so you'll want both with you.

What is The Will of the Many? (No spoilers)

The book is set in the Catenan Republic, a society built on a hierarchy where people give up their Will, their energy and strength, to those above them. The main character, Vis, is hiding a dangerous past, and he's drawn into the Republic's elite Academy, where nothing is quite what it seems.

Why we loved it

• The worldbuilding is brilliant. The Hierarchy and the way the Will works feel completely real, and the world gets more interesting the further you read.
• The plot is where it really excels. It's tightly written and constantly moving, and it's very hard to stop at the end of a chapter.
• It's full of mysteries. There's a lot about this world that isn't explained straight away, and working it out alongside Vis is a big part of the fun.
• Who can he trust? That question is central to the whole story, and it keeps you second-guessing every character.

Is The Will of the Many like Red Rising?

Yes. If you've read Red Rising, you'll notice the similarities: a young main character from the bottom of a rigid society, thrown into an elite institution where he has to hide who he really is. But The Will of the Many has a lot more mystery to it. Much more of the world is hidden, and uncovering it is half the appeal.

If you loved one, there's a very good chance you'll love the other. Read our spoiler-free Red Rising review.

What age is The Will of the Many for?

The Will of the Many doesn't have an official age rating, but we think it's fine for teenagers. That makes it a good pick if you want a book that older children and adults in the family can all read and talk about.

If you're choosing between this and Red Rising for a teenager, The Will of the Many is the gentler of the two. We'd save Red Rising for late teens and up.

Is it a good holiday read?

It's a brilliant one, as long as you have the time to get stuck in. It's a long book, so it's best for a week or two away rather than a weekend. It's also very hard to put down, which is exactly what you want by the pool or on a long-haul flight.

Our paperback of book 1 measures 20 × 13 × 4.6cm, so it takes up a fair bit of room in a bag. We'd take it on a Kindle instead, especially if you want book 2 with you as well.

The Hierarchy series reading order

1. The Will of the Many (2023)
2. The Strength of the Few (2025)
3. The Justice of One (not out yet)

Our verdict

The Will of the Many is one of the best books I've read. The worldbuilding is excellent, the plot is gripping from start to finish, and the mysteries kept me reading late into the night. If you're looking for a book to disappear into on holiday, this is it.

Looking for something funnier? Try our spoiler-free Dungeon Crawler Carl review.